Ian Thomas Ready For Bigger Role

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera suggested that rookie tight end Ian Thomas is ready to step into a starting role with Greg Olsen (foot) expected to miss extended time. Chris Manhertz suffered a Jones fracture earlier this summer and is more of a blocking tight end anyway. Rivera said Thomas "has been being prepared […]

Patriots Signing Corey Coleman

The New England Patriots are signing free-agent wide receiver Corey Coleman to a one-year deal, according to a source informed of the deal. The former first-round pick was traded from the Browns to the Bills before the season and was then released by Buffalo. The Patriots depth at receiver is thin with Julian Edelman suspended […]

Brett Anderson Could Start Wednesday Or Thursday

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brett Anderson (forearm) responded well after throwing three 15-pitch innings in a simulated game on Monday. Manager Bob Melvin said the left-hander is being considered to start either Wednesday or Thursday against the Orioles. Anderson lacks many strikeouts (4.7 K/9), but he has been decent for the A's with a 4.02 […]

Liam Hendriks Throwing Harder

Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks, who recently started three games and came on in relief in another in an eight-day span, picked up velocity after tinkering with his mechanics in the minor leagues before his latest call-up. He was designated for assignment in late July but cleared waivers and remained with the club. "He's throwing […]

Corey Seager Expects To Be Ready For Next Season

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (elbow, hip) insists he'll be ready to play shortstop in 2019. He underwent Tommy John surgery on May 6 and is walking without crutches a month after having arthroscopic surgery to fix a torn left hip labrum and shave a misshaped bone. Seager said he'll start a throwing program […]

Aroldis Chapman Looks Good

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman (quadriceps) has been running on a treadmill and "looks good" as he tries to return to action, according to manager Aaron Boone. The hard-throwing left-hander has thrown from up to 90 feet, and Boone said Chapman is hopeful he can make a few appearances before the playoffs. While it's […]

Adam Wainwright Earns Another Start

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said that starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, as long as he recovers well, has earned another start in the rotation. Wainwright wasn't exactly great in his first start back from the disabled list on Monday against the Pirates, allowing seven hits and four earned runs (two homers) in five innings […]

Jim Johnson To Open Up On Tuesday

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jim Johnson will serve as the opener against the Rangers on Tuesday. Johnson has made 55 appearances for the Angels this year, all in relief. He's 5-3 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 40 K's in 56 2/3 innings. Johnson will only go an inning or two and is […]

Tyler Duffey To Serve As Opener Tuesday

Minnesota Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey will be the opener on Tuesday against the Yankees. This will be Duffey's first "start" of the season after making 14 appearances for the Twins in 2018. The right-hander has a bad 9.00 ERA ,1.32 WHIP and 7.1 K/9 in 19 innings. Needless to say, Duffey should not be in […]

Pharoh Cooper Injured Monday

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (ankle) left the game early in the fourth quarter in Week 1 against the Raiders on Monday night and is questionable to return. Cooper is the team's main kick returner, so he doesn't have any fantasy value unless you're in a league that counts return yardage. Even then, […]

Kyle Schwarber Suffering From Back Stiffness

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber (back) has been bothered by back stiffness, which is why he was out of the starting lineup on Monday. It seems to be a day-to-day situation, so Schwarber could be back in there as soon as Tuesday. The left-handed slugger is hitting .239/.356/.471 with 25 home runs, 58 RBI and […]

Jon Lester Dealt With Back Spasms

Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (back) suffered from back spasms during his start on Monday against the Brewers, according to manager Joe Maddon. Lester is expected to be fine for his next start, which should come this weekend against the Reds. The left-handed veteran gave up eight hits and three […]

Jon Lester Injured Monday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (back) left the game early on Monday with lower back tightness. Lester had allowed eight hits and three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings against the Brewers before leaving, so he was probably close to being done regardless. The left-hander walked two and struck out seven in the outing. […]

Brandon LaFell, DeAndre Washington Inactive

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell and running back Deandre Washington (knee) are both inactive in Week 1 against the Rams on Monday night. LaFell is a healthy scratch, while Washington was never expected to be active for the season opener. The veteran LaFell recently signed with the Raiders and is currently buried on the […]

Joe Haden Has Mild Hamstring Pull

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (hamstring) was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain on Monday, according to a source. It's a minor hamstring injury, but the Steelers won't push their veteran cornerback, and he isn't a lock to play in Week 2 against the Chiefs unless he heals right this week. The 29-year-old Haden […]

Ezekiel Ansah Injured Monday Night

Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury on Monday night against the Jets and is questionable to return. Ansah has a history of nagging ailments in his career, so this isn't a good start for the 29-year-old. The Lions are counting on Ansah to help anchor a pass rush in 2018.

Marquise Goodwin Day-To-Day This Week

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (thigh) is dealing with a bruised thigh and will be day-to-day this week. Goodwin could be questionable for Week 2 against the Lions after missing his only target in the Week 1 loss to the Vikings. If Goodwin is able to suit up, […]

Ryder Jones To Have Surgery In A Few Days

San Francisco Giants first baseman Ryder Jones (knee) will have surgery in a couple of days to fix his dislocated left knee. Jones is a promising prospect for the Giants, so it was a shame for him to go down and lose a chance at regular at-bats down the stretch. He had hit two homers […]

Ryan Rua Activated From DL

The Texas Rangers activated first baseman/outfielder Ryan Rua (back) from the 10-day disabled list on Monday. Rua gives the club an extra option at multiple positions against left-handers to close out the year. He has hit .194/.223/.371 with six long balls and 12 RBI in just 124 at-bats this year. Rua is only worth considering […]

Daniel Descalso To See More Time At Second Base

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Daniel Descalso will see more time at second base down the stretch at the expense of Ketel Marte, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Descalso and Marte have basically been pretty close to the same player this year, but Descalso brings more of a veteran presence to the starting lineup, offers more position […]

Carlos Martinez Is The New Closer

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Carlos Martinez, who saved his second game of the week against the Tigers on Sunday, has been named the permanent closer by manager Mike Shildt. Bud Norris will move to another role in the back end of the bullpen. Norris loses the job after suffering two losses in his last […]

Brandon McCarthy Won't Return This Year

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (knee) doesn't have enough time left in the season to make a return and will be shut down, according to manager Brian Snitker. The veteran McCarthy was only able to make 15 starts this year for the Braves due to injury, and he went 6-3 with a 4.92 ERA, […]

Arodys Vizcaino To Rejoin Team Friday

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) will throw a side session on Tuesday and will come off the disabled list on Friday in Atlanta. Manager Brian Snitker said Vizcaino feels strong. With Vizcaino's last appearance in the big leagues coming on July 11, it's hard to imagine the Braves throwing him right back into […]

Luke Voit Dealing With Stiff Back

New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit (back) has been dealing with back stiffness for a couple of days, and it is one of the reasons why he is not playing on Monday, according to manager Aaron Boone. Greg Bird is seeing a start on Monday as a result. With Bird struggling with the stick, […]

Tyler Skaggs Close To Returning, Nick Tropeano Isn't

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs (groin) is close to a return to the rotation, but starter Nick Tropeano (shoulder) isn't making a lot of progress and is "not close to returning," according to manager Mike Scioscia. The left-handed Skaggs has gone 8-8 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 123 strikeouts in 116 […]

Albert Pujols Having Surgery On Elbow

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (elbow, knee), who just had knee surgery, will also have surgery on Wednesday to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. He will receive an injection for tendinitis in his left elbow on Friday. Father Time has officially caught up to the 38-year-old Pujols, although he should be […]

Elvis Andrus Will Wait To Make Decision On Opt-Out Clause

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus seems to be leaning toward not opting out of his contract, but he will wait until after the season to make his final decision. Andrus had a career year in 2017 but has fallen back to Earth big time in 2018. He managed to smash 20 homers last year with […]

Dylan Covey To Start Tuesday

Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Covey will get the start on Tuesday against the Royals. Covey has a weak 5.44 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and mediocre 6.5 K/9 in 23 outings (17 starts) this year for the White Sox. The right-hander also hasn't started a game since Aug. 18, making him an extremely risky streaming option […]

Patriots Waive Riley McCarron, Chad Hansen

The New England Patriots waived wide receivers Riley McCarron and Chad Hansen on Monday, according to a source. The team also put running back Jeremy Hill (knee) on Injured Reserve. McCarron dropped his only target and muffed a punt in Week 1 against the Patriots. New England will search for more receiver depth with Julian […]

Ameer Abdullah A Healthy Scratch

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah is a healthy inactive in Week 1 against the Jets on Monday night. Also a healthy scratch is wide receiver Brandon Powell. This comes as no surprise for Abdullah, who is buried on the depth chart behind LeGarrette Blount, rookie Kerryon Johnson and third-down back Theo Riddick. He can […]